Defending champions Bahrain exit Gulf Cup after defeat to UAE

Defending champions Bahrain were eliminated from Gulf Cup 27 after suffering a 3-0 defeat to the United Arab Emirates in their second roond of Group B.

The match was held at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Sunday night.

Othman Kamara opened the scoring for the UAE in the 30th minute with a header from Yuri Cesar’s cross, giving the Emiratis a 1-0 lead at half-time.

The UAE continued to control the match after the break and doubled their advantage in the 66th minute through Guilherme Bala, who finished a low shot after a long pass from Meloni.

Ali Saleh completed the scoring in the 88th minute with a clever lob over Bahrain goalkeeper Ibrahim Lutfalla following a pass from Bruno Oliveira.

The result sent the UAE through to the semi-finals with six points from two matches, while Bahrain remained without a point and were eliminated from the tournament.

Kuwaiti referee Abdullah Jamali officiated the match, assisted by compatriots Saud al Shamali and Ali Talib Jeraq. Portugal's Joao Pinheiro was the fourth official, while Saudi Arabia's Abdullah al Shahri served as VAR referee and Kuwait's Abdullah Arab as assistant VAR. Oman's Ibrahim al Hosni was the referee assessor.

The second round of Group B was completed with the UAE's victory, while Qatar had earlier defeated Yemen 1-0.